I’ve been here at my first real job for a little over a year now. I wasn’t sure if anyone had planned to do anything as a team for this time of the year, but I proposed to do a little shindig before we all split for the holidays. Something simple - potluck and white elephant. We booked a little conference room in the basement. I had a strange mixture of anxiety and apathy leading up to the day - “who’s really going to participate… what kind of “interesting” gifts are they scheming to get for white elephant… what kind of foods do we get? what do we feed the vegetarian!?” these were all the questions I had lingering in my head. Overwhelmed by all these thoughts, I, myself, just started to withdraw from planning anything further. I couldn’t even think up what to bring. I finally pulled myself together, and at a last minute’s notice, I stayed up late just to make a few trays of peppermint bark.
I woke up the next morning thinking, ‘alright. today is the day. should be interesting.’ my pathetic optimism. I came in realizing, we have no decorations. I was also thinking, I hope we have enough food, cus this peppermint bark is def not going to cut it. The doubt started to sweep me. This was probably going to be the lamest party ever. It will seriously be a table of peppermint bark. And us sitting around a table awkwardly eating together. And someone is going to bring some awkward gifts.
Trying to stay positive, I started looking around our desks to see what I could bring to “decorate”. We have a little miniature tree, full of weird ornaments (the gnome is our angel). There’s also some festive chili christmas lights (yes, they’re little lit-up red, green and yellow chili peppers - so freaking cute). But then one of my teammates, nonchalantly mentioned that he could go check “the closet” for some decorations.
“what in the world! what is this mystery closet full of decorations?! and why don’t i know about it?!”
we went downstairs to this “closet”. lights. tacky christmas decorations. table cloths. it had everything! things were starting to look up.
then we went to work on decorating the little room. when we were done, a sigh of relief came. as well as a dorky little high five. “well done. we did goooood!” (however the christmas lights made it look really romantic… awkward.)
the team came downstairs, bringing in their gifts and their trays of yummy delights, letting out some ooh’s and ahh’s, impressed with our decor. michael buble’s christmas album was playing the background. the meal was filling and delicious. the white elephant was fun and entertaining. the boss recognized everyone’s hard work. we laughed and had ourselves a very merry time. i was so relieved to see everything going so well.
it was awesome, I was so proud of everyone for fully participating. i’m glad everyone had a good time.
i am such a people pleaser. lol
i told the chefs/servers/cashiers in our cafeteria to only speak to me in spanish.
the lady checking me out said my spanish was better than her own kids!
i don’t know how much that means this day in age, but i’ll take it! :)
this is dora’s twin. obv.
we got her this balloon in lieu of her getting her braces removed. along with some tiffs treats and other delights.
and then…
i got balloons for my birthday.
dora’s twin got balloons for her birthday.
we got our boss balloons for boss’s day. and her bday.
and we’re not talking about just any kind of balloons. we’re talking about the BIG ones.
i just looked up and i saw a bunch of balloons from the other folks on the other side.
i think we started this balloon culture.
the other wings in the building look like christmas threw up on it.
except ours :(
but at least we have balloons! :)
i use this holiday season to justify buying things for people when i randomly think of them so it doesn’t seem as creepy
Apr 30, 2007
life after d-now
I serve an amazing God. These last few days have been oh so good and I can definitely feel and see how God has been molding me with his very own hands. He’s opened my eyes so much to see his amaaaazing love. i feel like everytime i talk about God, it’s the same thing. but He has blessed me with an abundance of love and mercy. He’s given me the opportunity to come out of my comfort zone and speak the truth. i am completely dependent upon his will.
“Lord move in a way, that I’ve never seen before
Cause there’s a mountain in the way and a lock on the door
I’m drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore
So Lord move (move), or move me.”
i am joyful <3
Apr 23, 2007
Dnow Dallas
About an hour away from Dallas, upon our arrival, Cathy got a call saying there weren’t enough girl leaders. She then asked me if I felt comfortable doing it and of course I said yes. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made leading to the most touching experience I didn’t expect to happen.
This weekend God has reminded me of his forgiving, compassionate love for his daughters. He’s given me the chance to reflect on my past and show me that He has the power to renew, restore, and rebuild me into the strong young woman I am today. I came to be a leader, yet in reality, I was the student. If so many people could look at my story, be inspired, forgive, and love me more, why couldn’t I do that for myself? That WAS the question for me. In return, not only has God given me answers but he’s made so much more of me.
For those who know me, I only have a handful of good girl friends, not even girl friends, but friends in general, who I can open up to. But when I saw these beautiful girls who spoke so boldly, I fell in love with God’s spirit. I was able to spill my heart and not be afraid of anyone’s judgement. He has given me the motivation to trust others, open my eyes, and see beyond.. I am also thankful for the girls who stepped out of their comfort zones to talk about the burdens that laid upon their hearts. Because I know it’s hard these days to speak openly and honestly about how you feel because we’re so adjusted to living within this corrupt world.
What an amazing God we serve. He works in miraculous and sneaky ways and we could never fathom his true power. I just pray that when we all left that building, when we all left our small groups, that we remain strong and confident, faithful and loving, true and pure.
Praise God,
Sarah Ven
it was short, but sweet. thanks for the hug!
man do i miss this guy. i don’t think i’ve ever missed someone this much. it’s only been a few days but i can definitely sense that our relationship is being challenged in so many ways. “A woman’s heart should be so lost in God; that a man needs to seek Him in order to find her.” Lately I realized that I’ve began to lose some faith in that short (but poweful) quote. Somewhere along the way, I’ve found myself getting lost in the tangibles and relying more on my own abilities like overly thinking about how much I want to communicate or about the things I want to do… But if I think back to the beginning of this relationship and remember how blessed I felt that God would really grant me someone this special in my life, if I would just remember the sole fact that this relationship is His blessing, then I shouldn’t fear in anything else, but the One who can take it away. I don’t know if it’s a new sense of vulnerability but it’s definitely an uncomfortable, strange feeling. I don’t like it that much right now… But at the same time, I know God is really using it to refine me and grow my dependence for Him. I feel like God knows that we’re a relationship-oriented people… so when He wants to challenge us to love, rely, trust and seek Him more, He’ll put people in our lives to teach us these things. I know I have so much to learn about God and His ways… I also know I have so much to learn about Patrick and his ways… but hopefully as I pray, God would reveal to me all the necessary things I need to know.
Love is an action first and a feeling second. If you love people, eventually you’ll come to like them. -Tim Keller
do ya dig the new workstation homies? I DOOO :D
